What distinguished the first centuries of Islamic history from the early history of Christianity and Buddhism? What similarities and differences characterized their religious outlooks?

Islam vs. Christianity & Buddhism

Comparing 1st centuries of Islamic history from that of Christianity and Buddhism?

Islam differed sharply from Christianity & Buddhism because its founder was not only a religious figure but also a political & military leader.

From the start the Islamic community found itself constituted as a state. Islam did not develop as clearly defined a separation between church and state as did both Christianity and Buddhism.

Comparing 1st centuries of Islamic history from that of Christianity & Buddhism?

Similarities in religious outlooks: ★ Founded by single historical

figures who had powerful religious experiences

★ provided a clear path to salvation

★ proclaimed the equality of all believers

Similar Diversity, 2007 by Philipp Steinweber & Andreas KollerA visualization of the similarities & difference between the holy books of 5 world religions:

Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, & Judaism.

However, Islam’s conception of monotheism was stronger than that of Christianity;

Each religion was shaped in part by the cultural traditions in which it emerged.

Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (570–632 C.E.), who was born in Mecca to a Quraysh family.

Comparing the 1st centuries of Islamic history from that of Christianity & Buddhism?

1st centuries of Islamic history from that of Christianity & Buddhism?

Islam, like Judaism and Christianity, is monotheistic. Allah is the only God, the all-powerful Creator.As “the Messenger of God,” Muhammad presented himself in the tradition of earlier prophets like Abraham, Moses, & Jesus.Like the Jewish prophets & Jesus, Muhammad demanded social justice & laid out a prescription for its implementation.

Why are there no representations of the prophet Muhammad adorning mosques?The Hadith warns against any attempt to imitate God by creating pictures of living beings.

And now a word from Robert W. Strayer on the matter:

From: Robert StrayerSent: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 4:53 PMSubject: Re: Strayer WOW 1e - question about photo

From the Toronto airport, on the way to Istanbul While orthodox Islam generally cautions against images (fearing idolatry), the fact is that a number of good Muslims have historically used images, particularly in the lovely Persian and Ottoman miniatures, several of which we have used in the book. Sometimes those images of the prophet show his face whited out, but in other cases they do not. All of our images of the prophet come from Muslim sources, not western sources. It simply shows that Islam, like all other major spiritual traditions, generate a variety of views about many things...including in this case the question of images. It reminds us that we should avoid characterizing almost anything as strictly "Islamic". Islam is a rich tradition with a lot of variety and variation, as well as disagreement and controversy. -- Hope this helps -- Bob

Prophet of Islam was Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (570–632 C.E.)★ orphaned at a young age★ became a prosperous merchant thanks to marriage to Khadija★ took to withdrawal and meditation

Beginning of revelations from Allah in 610 C.E.★ revelations recorded in the Quran★ when heard in its original Arabic, believed to convey the presence of the divine

Radically new teachings★ monotheistic★ Muhammad as “the seal of the prophets”★ return to old, pure religion of Abraham★ central tenet: submission to Allah (Muslim = “one who submits”)★ need to create a new society of social justice, equality, & care for others (the

umma)

Core message summarized in the Five Pillars of Islam1. first pillar is simple profession:

“There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of God.”

2. prayer five times a day at prescribed times3. generous giving to help the community and the needy4. fasting during the month of Ramadan5. pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj)

6? - jihad (“struggle”) is sometimes called the “sixth pillar”★ greater jihad: personal spiritual striving★ lesser jihad/jihad of the sword: armed struggle against unbelief & evil★ understanding of the concept has varied widely over time

Core & General Principles of Islam

Science, Technology, & Learning in the Islamic World

Although the Byzantine Romans spoke Greek and welcomed Greek culture, in the Islamic World, classic Greek thought was embraced “with far more enthusiasm and creativity” than in Byzantium. A massive translation project in the 9th & 10th centuries made Aristotle & many other Greek writers available.

Of course, during this age of ‘light’ in the Islamic World, this improved upon ‘western learning’ would return to Europe during the Renaissance period. However, without the Muslim integration, the Renaissance would not have been quite the same.

Science & Islam, Jim AL-Khalili - BBC DocumentaryThe video on the next slide takes a look at science in the Islamic World.Part 1: The Language of SciencePhysicist Jim Al-Khalili travels through Syria, Iran, Tunisia and Spain to tell the story of the great leap in scientific knowledge that took place in the Islamic world between the 8th and 14th centuries.

Its legacy is tangible, with terms like algebra, algorithm and alkali all being Arabic in origin and at the very heart of modern science - there would be no modern mathematics or physics without algebra, no computers without algorithms and no chemistry without alkalis.

For Baghdad-born Al-Khalili this is also a personal journey and on his travels he uncovers a diverse and outward-looking culture, fascinated by learning and obsessed with science. From the great mathematician Al-Khwarizmi, who did much to establish the mathematical tradition we now know as algebra, to Ibn Sina, a pioneer of early medicine whose Canon of Medicine was still in use as recently as the 19th century, he pieces together a remarkable story of the often-overlooked achievements of the early medieval Islamic scientists.

YouTube: Science & Islam, Jim Al Khalili - BBC (3 hours in length!)

When the Moors Ruled Europe by Bettany Hughes

Join British historian Bettany Hughes as she examines a long-buried chapter of European history--the rise and fall of Islamic culture in what is now Spain and Portugal. Although generations of Spanish rulers have tried to expunge this era from the historical record, recent archaeology and scholarship now shed fresh light on the Moors who flourished in Al-Andalus for more than 700 years.

This fascinating two-part documentary explodes old stereotypes and offers shocking new insights. You’ll discover the ingenious mathematics behind Granada’s dazzling Alhambra Palace, trace El Cid’s lineage to his Moorish roots, and learn how the Iberian population willingly converted to Islam in droves.

Through interviews with noted scholars, you’ll see how Moorish advances in mathematics, astronomy, art, and agriculture helped propel the West out of the Dark Ages and into the Renaissance. What emerges is a richly detailed portrait of a sensuous, inquisitive, and remarkably progressive Islamic culture in Christian Europe.

YouTube: When the Moors Ruled Europe by Bettany Hughes 1 hour 40 min.